Hepatitis C: PM’s nod to import new, effective drugs awaited
The latest medication can help treat patients within three months
PHOTOS: EXPRESS/FILE
PESHAWAR:
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has approved the latest treatment for Hepatitis C, but an approval by the prime minister to allow the import of medicines is still awaited.
The latest treatment, as per health department officials, can help treat patients within three months and that too at a lower cost.
According to health officials dealing with Hepatitis Control Program, every 10th person across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is considered to be infected with viral hepatitis. The number, according to the officials, is rising.
40 staffers ready to beat hepatitis
People do not know if they are infected with hepatitis because it takes at least 30 years for the symptoms to appear, according to the officials, who said that the screening facilities were available at all the secondary-level health facilities and medicines were being provided free of cost.
“Currently, we use Sovladi for Hepatitis C treatment, but the latest treatment is available and we also have the approval of the DRAP but we need prime minister’s approval to import the tablets,” Head of Hepatitis Control Program Dr Kalimullah told The Express Tribune.
Kalimullah said that the Pakistan Health Research Council had already fixed prices for the medicines that could treat patients within three months.
‘Mass media campaign launched on hepatitis’
Earlier on Thursday, health department officials termed viral hepatitis a silent killer and more dangerous than terrorism. In order to prevent the spread of hepatitis, the health department has plans to ask K-P legislators to enact laws making blood screening mandatory ahead of marriages and surgical procedures.
Health experts say Pakistan contributes around 80 per cent of the total hepatitis cases in the Eastern Mediterranean region where it remains second for the most number of patients after China.
Most of the cases have been reported from districts Swat, Upper Dir, Lower Dir and Hangu. Moreover, the population in Tank has recently become vulnerable to Hepatitis B.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has approved the latest treatment for Hepatitis C, but an approval by the prime minister to allow the import of medicines is still awaited.
The latest treatment, as per health department officials, can help treat patients within three months and that too at a lower cost.
According to health officials dealing with Hepatitis Control Program, every 10th person across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is considered to be infected with viral hepatitis. The number, according to the officials, is rising.
40 staffers ready to beat hepatitis
People do not know if they are infected with hepatitis because it takes at least 30 years for the symptoms to appear, according to the officials, who said that the screening facilities were available at all the secondary-level health facilities and medicines were being provided free of cost.
“Currently, we use Sovladi for Hepatitis C treatment, but the latest treatment is available and we also have the approval of the DRAP but we need prime minister’s approval to import the tablets,” Head of Hepatitis Control Program Dr Kalimullah told The Express Tribune.
Kalimullah said that the Pakistan Health Research Council had already fixed prices for the medicines that could treat patients within three months.
‘Mass media campaign launched on hepatitis’
Earlier on Thursday, health department officials termed viral hepatitis a silent killer and more dangerous than terrorism. In order to prevent the spread of hepatitis, the health department has plans to ask K-P legislators to enact laws making blood screening mandatory ahead of marriages and surgical procedures.
Health experts say Pakistan contributes around 80 per cent of the total hepatitis cases in the Eastern Mediterranean region where it remains second for the most number of patients after China.
Most of the cases have been reported from districts Swat, Upper Dir, Lower Dir and Hangu. Moreover, the population in Tank has recently become vulnerable to Hepatitis B.